Valmiki Ramayana 111 ---ORDEAL BY FIRE

Compiled from the EPIC OF RAMA ,translated by Romesh Dutt in the book Wisdom Of India.

For She dwelt in Ravan's Dwelling --Rumour clouds a woman's fame
Righteous Rama's brow was clouded,Saintly Sita spake in shame
"Wherefore spake Ye not ,my Rama,if your bosom doubts my faith
Dearer than a dark suspicion to a woman were her death.
Wherefore Rama with your forces came your vassel over the wave
To assist a fallen woman and a tainted wife to save
Wherefore with your mighty forces crossed the ocean in your pride
Risked your life in endless combats for a sin polluted bride?
Has Thou Rama all forgotten ,Sainly Janak saw my birth
Child of harvest bearing furrow, Sita sprang from Mother Earth
As a maiden true and stainless unto Thee I gave my hand
As a consort fond and faithful roved with Thee from land to land
But a woman pleadeth vainly when suspicion clouds her name
Lakshman.if Thou loveth thy Sister,light for me the funeral flame.
When the shadow of dishonour darkens a woman's life
Death alone is Friend and refuge of a true and trustful wife.
When a righteous Lord and Husband turns his cold averted eyes
Funeral flame dispels suspicion ,honour lives when woman dies "
Dark was Rama's gloomy visage and His lips were firmly sealed
And His eyes betrayed no weakness ,words disclosed no thought concealed.
Silence heaved His heart in anguish,silence drooped His tortured head
Lakshman with a throbbing bosom ,funeral pyre for Sita made
And Videha's sinless daughter prayed unto the Gods above
On Her Lord and wedded Consort cast Her dying looks of love
"If in act and thought" she uttered,"I am true unto my name
Witness of our sins and virtues may this Fire protect my fame
If a false and lying scandal brings a faithful woman shame
Witness of our sins and virtues may this fire protect my fame.
If in lifelong loving duty,I am free from sin and blame
Witness of our sins and virtues,may this fire protect my fame."
Fearless in Her faith and valour Sita stepped upon the pyre
And her form and beauty vanished circled by the clasping fire
And an anguish shocked the people like the ocean tempest tost
Old,Young, Maid and Matron wept for Sita true and lost
For bedecked in gold and splendour and in gems and rich attire
Sita vanished in the red fire of the newly lighted pyre
Rishis and the great Ghandharvas, Gods who know each secret deed
Witnessed Sita's high devotion and a woman's lofty creed
And the earth by oceangirdled with its wealth of teeming life
Witnessed deed of dauntless duty of a true and stainless life.

Compiled by BAIYU Mumbai January 1998